Executive Director, External Communications

Strategic External Communications:

• Lead news content creation reflecting the university's comprehensive research, education, public service, and student support programs.
• Develop and implement the university's media and public relations plan.
• Manage the university's efforts to grow earned media visibility locally, statewide, and nationally.
• Lead external communications efforts to advance the university's strategic imperatives and build building goals.
• Oversee editorial production and content distribution for the university's primary web and email news channels.
• Provide counsel and direct support to university leadership engaging externally on issues related to the university.
• Oversee media requests, media analysis and coverage reports, and proactive media outreach.
• Manage staff responsible for identifying, cataloging and evaluating rankings relevant to the university.
• Manage the team responsible for identifying trending news topics and pitching faculty experts.
• Serve as a university spokesperson and respond to requests for comment or information.
• Collaborate with University Marketing and Communications colleagues on multimedia and digital storytelling.

Leadership and Management

• Manage external communications staff comprised of news, content creation, science and research communicators, and media relations professionals.
• Serve as a member of the University Marketing and Communications Leadership team.

Relationship Management

• Establish, advance, and maintain relationships with journalists, news organizations, and independent content creators.
• Lead External Communications team's efforts to engage faculty across the campus to increase the national visibility of their research and expertise.
• Operate as a conduit to communicators across campus on matters relating to news, research, media, reputation management, and storytelling.
• Work closely with and advise central administrative units and campus leaders.

Reputation Management

• Manage the University''s day-to-day reputation management efforts, including developing messaging, coordinating with campus stakeholders, and responding to queries.
• Work closely with the Office of Public Safety and Crisis Communications Team to provide proactive crisis communications planning and effective communications response to crises.
• Respond to and manage crises and reputational issues as they arise.
• In collaboration with the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer and the Chief Safety Officer, update and implement crisis communications plans.
• Collaborate with University Marketing and Communications colleagues to monitor and, when necessary, respond to external conversations about the university.
• Develop and implement processes around issues management.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior management and faculty on matters affecting the brand reputation of the university.
• Work closely with the Office of General Counsel, Office of Public Records, and other administrative departments that manage sensitive issues.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• The ideal candidate will have a strong external communications background and a proven track record in developing and executing strategic communications plans.
• Candidates will be seasoned in engaging with media, developing content, and managing reputational risks.